Modern advances in the surgical techniques used to remove excess facial fat, tighten loose skin, soften deep creases and to reposition fallen cheek lines offer more natural-looking, longer lasting results with less risk, fewer restrictions and a quicker return to normal daily activities.

Q What is a facelift?
During a facelift, facial contours are redefined, sagging skin is minimized and deep creases are softened and smoothed.
In facelifts, incisions are skillfully placed along the ear and may continue above the ear in the hairline and behind the ear, potentially along the hairline. Once healing occurs, most scars are nearly invisible.

Q Does a facelift lift drooping brows and sagging eyelids or smooth aging and wrinkled skin?
NO! Many procedures can be performed with a facelift to best achieve your desired cosmetic results-such as rejuvenating skin or tired-looking eyes, or lifting a fallen brow. Dr. Berkowitz performs a wide-range of services and is available to help you better understand your options - which is so important.

• Sagging eyelids & dark, puffy undereye circles are quickly transformed to vivacious, more alert-looking eyes using a procedure called blepharoplasty.
• Repositioning a drooping brow or heavy forehead is also possible, but requires a surgical brow or forehead lift-which is different than a facelift.
• And, though a facelift will tighten tissue and reduce the appearance of sagging skin & deep creases, it will not smooth wrinkles, improve skin tone, hide blemishes or scars, or blend signs of sun damage.

No single procedure is right for every person walking through the door. Dr. Berkowitz will fully explain both the anatomical and cosmetic considerations you need to understand before proceed, ing. However, you must ask questions, clearly identify expectations & discuss desired results.

Q How long will a facelift last?
Though commonly asked, this is the most difficult to answer. A facelift helps turn back the hands of itme forever, however, it does not stop the aging process. For example, if after surgery you appear to be about 50 (instead of 58) then after 8-10 years you may look 60. You are not likely to still look 50, but you probably wont look like you same aged friends either.

To further clarity, the results of a facelift do not last a specific period of time. Optimal results are likely to be noticed five years following surgery, but will diminish over time based on heredity, sun exposure, diet and other factors.

By age 40, most of us can stretch our skin, pulling it taut as we examine our aging faces in the mirror. Over time, the effects of genetics, sun exposure, smoking, facial expressions and good-old gravity, cause several changes to the mid lower face, including:

• Fallen cheek lines & loose skin.
• Deep mid-face creases.
• Drooping jowls & Turkey neck

There is no best time for a face lift. Most patients are in the 40 to 65 age group-and, while not the most popular cosmetic procedure for men, their interest in surgical face lifts is quickly growing.

Q Will additional facelifts be needed to maintain changes?
Within five to ten years, 25 to 30 percent of facelift patients choose to have additional procedures to enhance their initial facelift results. These range major facelift-type procedures to touch-up procedures targeted at certain areas like the eyes, brows or skin.

The age of a patient at the time of a facelift is an important factor in determining the likelihood of additional procedures, especially as the average age becomes younger. If patients are in good health, there is no limit to what procedures may be performed though it appears unusual for a patient to have more than 3 procedures.

Q How uncomfortable is the facelift procedure & recovery?
During the 3-4 hour procedure, you should experience minimal to no discomfort because anesthesia will be given to you by IV to keep you relaxed & comfortable. Restrictive dressings are placed over the incisions and around the head following surgery.

During recovery, most patients require only Tylenol and ice. We will give you medication to help you sleep at night and for pain management as needed. You will likely be comfortable enough to resume normal activities within just a few days, though Dr. Berkowitzs will advise some tasks or hobbies be restricted.

Afterwards, bruising swelling and discoloration are common, and generally resolve on their own within a few weeks. Make-up, with Dr. Berkowitzs approval, can be worn to camouflage any signs after about a week though should not cover the incisions. Most patients are thrilled with their results even before the healing process is complete. They often continue to notice improvements throughout the entire first year following surgery and often express regret having not had surgery earlier.